Lydia Pense (born Lydia Jane Pense in San Francisco, California on December 14, 1947) is an American rock-soul-jazz singer who, since 1969, has performed with the band Cold Blood. Critics have compared her style has been compared to powerful singers including Janis Joplin (who recommended the band to Bill Graham for their first audition), Aretha Franklin, and Teena Marie.Pense's mother was born in Madrid, Spain, and her father came from Nebraska.